Okay folks, the time is time! we will begin taking in guests at 3:00pm on Friday, and we have been requested to pack up and leave by around noon on Sunday. You can still get in one of these rides on Sunday, just be sure you pack everything up first. We will let folks know where to park after they pack up if they want to ride on Sunday.
Location: incase you don’t want to look it up again is Camp Deer Lake in Killingworth CT. info on local grocery stores is in the previous blog post.
Weather: not nearly as bad as it looked a few days ago thankfully, with most of the rain coming on Friday. Saturday looks showery, but not by any means a washout. the clouds will keep it moody out there and make for some stark contrast with the colorful leaves. Looks like it should be drying up by Saturday evening in time for pizza from 4-9. Saturday night will be chilly, Sunday will be dry and windy.
Yard Sale/Tag Sale/Swap meet: we have 25 folks signed up for this. as of now we are planning on having it set up in the big Clifton Hall. generally folks set up and leave it set up and occupy their booths when they feel like it. there will be a steady stream of folks around after the rides on Saturday, and of course Friday night and Sunday morning. Clifton Hall will be a busy area. There is no security or anything at our events, we trust in this community, but if you don’t feel the same way, then you can plan accordingly. we have some tables, but would recommend bringing your own just incase.
if arriving on Saturday: folks can start rolling in at 7. We will have parking attendants ready to direct you.
Camping: there are roofs enough for over 300 folks if you were all to cram in, but I wouldn’t count on folks all wanting to cram in — so if you are on the fence about bringing a tent — then I would bring your tent. you could still very well prop your bikes and other stuff under some of the roofs. camp spots are as ive said, first come first serve. the space is huge, so there are nice spots for everyone with a little exploration.
Camp Fires: we are providing a bunch of split dry wood, and you can have a fire anywhere you see a fire ring (there are seemingly hundreds on site). you are also free to burn any fallen wood of the forest.
Cleanup: there will be trash cans, and you are responsible for cleaning up after yourselves.
BRING A HEADLAMP! just a reminder. your spork too!
CLICK HERE FOR EVENT SCHEDULE PDF
OFFICIAL ROUTES
I have several routes to chose from with the corresponding ridewithgps downloadable GPX links and points of interest. There are no course markings, so these GPX files are the only way other than following someone who knows where they are going to follow the routes. if you don’t have a head unit, you can download these to your phone — just make sure its well charged! not all routes have amenities, but the larger ones do. plan your snacks and water accordingly. We will be doing a brief route presentation in the big hall on Friday night (it is in the schedule PDF). if you are embarking on the 79 mile route, I would recommend bringing lights — it is an 8 hour plus ride no matter what really, and you can’t cross the ferry to the other side of the river before it opens at 10:30 — but it will take you about 2.5-3 hours to get to that part of the route.
and without further adieu, here are the routes!
7 miler from Clinton train station to Deer Lake Camp easy ride up from the station. there are a few amenities in Clinton that I waypointed on the route detail including some New Haven style pizza and a grocery store that is kinda trashy but has discounted gourmet food and socks that you might like (Ocean State Job Lot). I was born and raised in Clinton, and Job Lot is a really quite defining. should note that due to the Shoreline East ridership being only 30% of what it was pre pandemic, there are abbreviated schedules. if you are leaving from NYC, take the 1:34pm train to New Haven and connect to the Shoreline East to Clinton getting you there at 4:24pm.
10 mile rough stuff on some smooth enough dirt and classic trails. this is good for a shakedown or quick exploration. 38mm tires should do it, although you might have to dance around a big on the single track.
29 mile chunky and some smooth enough dirt. this one is for those who want chunk, but don’t want to go big on the mileage. trade off is that you don’t get to go through any town for resupply really. there is a short detour you can take at the top of the route to hit up a farm stand that has pizza and other goodies though. its the waypoint at the top of the course. 38mm tires should do the trick, although you will be underbiking in places.
34 mile easy mostly paved down to a very scenic state beach. not to mention a lot of fancy dining and shopping options in down town Madison. bring your monocle to fit in. this ride only has a very light touch of smooth grav, and the rest is very pleasant low to no traffic country road. 28mm tires would be fine.
36 mile most smooth grav with kinda “meh” first 6 miles. this is for the folks who want dirt but not the chunk. It stays away from most towns, so there aren’t any amenities, but its a really nice ride!
55 mile half dirt and chunk half country road. this is a great route that will take you through some really classic NE samplings. half way point is down town Chester “the Paris of Nutmeg Country”. here you will find plenty of amenities including Simon’s Market, and Little House Brewing for those who are thirsty. they open at noon. 38mm tires should do it, but I would go 42 or above if I were you.
79 mile Nutmeg Triangle Sampler. this one might be faster moving as far as terrain goes from the 55 miler, but still has plenty of rough stuff including an 8 mile section of the deep woods single track Goodwin Trail on the other side of the river. You will go through downtown chester if you need some coffee or resupply, and then take the chester Hadlyme Ferry across (first ferry is 10:30am). Ferry costs $2 cash, so be sure you have that on you! The half way point of this ride is the traditional stop at J.P. Weigle’s workshop in Lyme CT. there will be some bikes to check out and some water to fill up here. 38mm tires will do it, but 42 and above would be better.
ohhhkayyy so that leaves the waivers that Arya will be sending out later today and the rest will be paper at sign in.
see ya’ll tomorrow!
Ronnie and Arya
rons bikes blog dot com 
Leave a comment